Vivian Conroy

This was such a delightful historical cozy mystery with the added element of continental travels and a touch of romantic angst. Our plucky protagonist, Atalanta, inherits her grandfather's estate with the hope that she will continue with his investigatory services. She receives a cryptic birthday party invitation intended for her grandfather and decides, perhaps she'll pay tribute in his absence and do a bit of sleuthing on the side. She'll just use a continental visit to dishy care-racer show more friend Raul and the Munich holiday market as a ruse to check out the Salzburg birthday bash. One thing leads to another, a body is found and she's now on the case.

Frankly, author Vivian Conroy had me at the mere mention of Salzburg, my absolute favorite city in the world. It is very walkable and has a tremendous amount of old world charm and live music on every street corner which Ms. Conroy so deftly brough to bear. The mise en scène is cinematic in scope and as such, one could easily smell the cinnamon and clove emanating from the shops, here the gentle clop of horse hooves on the cobble stone streets, and imagine the large castle looming over its city. The wardrobe and food descriptions were equally fine. The writing is smooth and the banter between Atalanta and Raul, most charming. There were a number of red herrings and a few fun surprises making this engaging story move steadily along. The tension builds gradually to a peak and then gently subsides to a most satisfying conclusion. This was the perfect read leading into the holidays and I eagerly look forward to more books in this series.

Even though this was the fourth book in series and I had not previously read the other three, I found that there were sufficient fleshed-out references to earlier occurrences that I was not asea while reading this story.

I am grateful to Ms. Conroy and her publisher, One More Chapter, for having provided a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.

Publisher: ‎One More Chapter
Publication Date: November 21, 2024
Number of Pages: 316
ISBN:‎ 978-0008549299 show less

1930’s murder amongst the vines!

Atlanta Ashford’s relationship with racing car driver Raoul Lemont (he later declares he’s Italian by heart, not birth) is somewhat of an unknown, punctuated with Atlanta’s inner moonings of does he like me or not. Atlanta seems to be attracted to Raoul but is unsure, or scared of, his responses. Sometimes she’s looking forward to his company, other times his perceived chauvinism annoys her, or the prejudices of others frustrate her, particularly show more when he’s referred to over her because he’s male. It’s like Atlanta’s metaphorically pulling the petals of daisies to uncover her feelings, with jealousy only a nanosecond away.
Anyway Atlanta’s decided to take time out from detecting and go on a holiday with Raoul, as a ‘travelling companion’, (Atlanta’s unsure of what that means) motoring through his beloved Tuscany, stopping off at little towns and inns along the way. No investigating! Purely and simply a restful holiday.
They’re taking the Orient Express to Simplon Pass where Raoul’s arranged for a car. Aboard the train they meet an heiress whose father, Cosimo Lanetti owns a palazzo surrounded by vineyards. Atlanta’s persuaded by Catharina to join her there for Cosimo’s eightieth birthday celebrations. Raoul is not sympatico with this change.
Of course someone dies and Atlanta finds herself thrust into the situation.
Raoul had wanted to avoid the party but is happy to assist Atalanta. The details of the death are finely wrought. Catharina becomes the major suspect. Cosimo’s Will opens up several avenues to explore.
I must say that by now Atlanta’s relationship with Raoul is annoying me even more intensely.
I’m not convinced of the chemistry hinted at between them. Furthermore I’m not fully sold on this episode of Atlanta bravely solving murder amongst the vines of Tuscany. I hope the series doesn’t unraval as Atlanta sashays around Europe, presumably with Monsieur Lemont, to become a travelogue with murder always on the list.
I do object to Atlanta being seen as channeling a cross between Agatha Christie and Julie Caplan. Agatha—a resounding No! Julie—a maybe!
Still I must confess I’ll be interested to see where the next book takes us.

A One More Chapter ARC via NetGalley
Many thanks to the author and publisher. show less

Malcolm Bryce-Rutherford is a miserable, cruel misanthrope in possession of a great fortune and the Villa Calypso on the French Riviera. But none of his extended family and associates fares much better: his ne’er-do-well, drunken nephew Hugh with ridiculous artistic pretensions, Hugh’s shallow gold-digger American bride; Malcolm’s greedy ex-wife Cecily, who has remarried with Malcolm’s business partner and borne a possibly sociopathic son; Malcolm’s long-suffering but overbearing show more former secretary, spinster Theodora Cummings, and a pretty, too-good-to- be-true British nurse, Anna Case. These people are pitted against one another when Uncle Malcolm reveals that he’s terminally ill and that he will leave his vast fortune to a different legatee each day. If he happens to die on that day, the inheritor gets the lot; if not, a new beneficiary will be named at midnight. An invitation to murder? You bet!

Although the novel begins just a tad too slowly, once retired Scotland Yard police superintendent Jasper comes on the scene, I couldn’t put it down. Although newly written, author Vivian Conroy captures the flavor of Golden Age cozy mysteries with a dash (very small) of Patricia Highsmith. Not very many of the characters are what they seem. It would be too easy to reveal too much and spoil Conroy’s novel, so I will leave it at that. I really look forward to the future adventures of retired Superintendent Jasper.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Canelo in exchange for an honest review.

Merged review:

Malcolm Bryce-Rutherford is a miserable, cruel misanthrope in possession of a great fortune and the Villa Calypso on the French Riviera. But none of his extended family and associates fares much better: his ne’er-do-well, drunken nephew Hugh with ridiculous artistic pretensions, Hugh’s shallow gold-digger American bride; Malcolm’s greedy ex-wife Cecily, who has remarried with Malcolm’s business partner and borne a possibly sociopathic son; Malcolm’s long-suffering but overbearing former secretary, spinster Theodora Cummings, and a pretty, too-good-to- be-true British nurse, Anna Case. These people are pitted against one another when Uncle Malcolm reveals that he’s terminally ill and that he will leave his vast fortune to a different legatee each day. If he happens to die on that day, the inheritor gets the lot; if not, a new beneficiary will be named at midnight. An invitation to murder? You bet!

Although the novel begins just a tad too slowly, once retired Scotland Yard police superintendent Jasper comes on the scene, I couldn’t put it down. Although newly written, author Vivian Conroy captures the flavor of Golden Age cozy mysteries with a dash (very small) of Patricia Highsmith. Not very many of the characters are what they seem. It would be too easy to reveal too much and spoil Conroy’s novel, so I will leave it at that. I really look forward to the future adventures of retired Superintendent Jasper.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Canelo in exchange for an honest review. show less

Last Pen Standing by Vivian Conroy is a fantastic start to the Stationary Shop Mysteries! Even if I wasn’t a stationary (and all the do-dads that go along with it) lover, I would still have been drawn in by the detailed descriptions of Montana’s gorgeous countryside, the wildlife, the hotel, and, of course, Wanted, the stationary store, as well as the rest of the town.

Conroy’s descriptions, even down to the smallest of erasers, makes you feel like you are actually there seeing the show more scene, feeling the texture of the paper, or hearing the music played at the hotel’s annual gala. I haven’t had the pleasure of reading any of her other mystery series, but if they are even half way as descriptive, I’m sure they are great reads.

Not only are Conroy’s descriptions enjoyable, but so are her characters. You have Delta, moving back from the big city, who is a strong protagonist that people easily open up to. Hazel, Delta’s college roommate and business partner, seems to have her head on her shoulders when it comes to business, but not when it comes to her brother. Mrs. C., her small dog, Nugget, and the rest of the Paper Posse, who we meet mainly through texting, are amusing and you know will continue to have great insider knowledge of the town in upcoming books. And Mrs. C. seems like she will be a great life mentor to Delta.

Then you have the romantic aspect of the book. At first I thought it might be one person, but then it went into a different one, which I think is a good choice… although, perhaps the first person I thought was going to become a beau will make a move in future books.

And then the star of most cozies (the dogs, cats, or other animals) happens to be a retired K-9 officer who is around to give emotional support to the characters, sniff out clues, and help to round up the bad guys. Spud is a fantastic addition to the Stationary Shop Mysteries, and I hope you end up enjoying the series as much as I do! show less